Hatice Firat

Hatice Firat, 19, Turkey.

Hatice Firat, of Mersin, Turkey, was happy with her boyfriend. At age 19, she ran away with him from her family, whom she told she was going to the supermarket. She was eventually spotted by her brother’s friend and then tracked down by her brother, Mahsun, who convinced her to tell him where she was staying and promised to keep the secret from their family.

Mahsun reported back to his family, and they decided, as a group, that Hatice should be executed. Mahsun visited her in her new home andinvited her out to take a walk along the beach. He then lured her in secluded area, slit her throat, stabbed her forty times, and disposed of the body in ariver. When it was eventually found, her family refused to attend her funeral.

The investigation is ongoing – no trial has yet taken place. The funeral was held by 50 women, who took the opportunity to make it clear that such behavior would not be tolerated under their watch, shouting slogans that included “We are not going to be anyone’s honor,” “End honor killings,” and “Hands that hurt women should be broken.”

Women carry Hatice Fırat’s coffin after the 19-year-old was killed in what appeared to be an honor killing. Fırat’s family refused to attend the ceremony. DHA photo

[…] A young woman of 19 in Mersin, Turkey, Hatice Ferat, ran away from home to live with her boyfriend. Her brother Mahsun did not approve. Mahsun visited her in her new home and invited her out to take a walk along the beach. He then lured her in[to a] secluded area, slit her throat, stabbed her forty times, and disposed of the body in a river. When it was eventually found, her family refused to attend her funeral. The investigation is ongoing – no trial has yet taken place. The funeral was held by 50 women, who took the opportunity to make it clear that such behavior would not be tolerated under their watch, shouting slogans that included “We are not going to be anyone’s honor,” “End honor killings,” and “Hands that hurt women should be broken.” […]